Handbag with tongue-locked walls



` Oct. 12, 1943. J. Rosr-:NKRANTZ HANDBAG WITH TONGUE-LOCKED WALL'IS Filed Oct. 24, 1942 Patented Orct. 12, 1943 HANDBAG WITH T ONGUE-LOCKED WALLS Joseph Rosenkrantz, Springeld, Mass., assigner to Robbins & Weitz, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 24, 1942, Serial No. .463,283

Claims.

` This invention relates to handbags, such as those used for wear by ladies.

Heretofore such handbags have had parts thereof cemented together, either for permanent securement in this manner, or as a step prelirninary to sewing. In stitched handbags, the cement saved much time and labor on the part of the sewing machine operator and permitted accurate shaping or forming of the bag. Now that the cements are almost unobtainable for this purpose, because of the special ingredients involved, the cost of handbags especially those which sell at relatively low prices, would be greatly aiected.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a handbag so constructed in a cheap, quantity production manner that the use of cements is obviated.

Another object of the invention is to still further reduce the cost` of manufacture of handbags by substantially reducing the amount of stitching and by simplifying the handling and assembling of the bag.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means including integral headed tongues and slits for connection of parts of the bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide such connecting means located in an inconspicuous position yet readily accessible for assembling.

Another object of the invention is to provide such connecting means in connection with permanent means such as easily applied stitching for a strong bag which is easily assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lining cooperatively stitched in place with part of the tongue and slot connection.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a center partition preventing the end gussets or the bottom gusset or both from pushing out and cooperating, with or without a lining, so that the tongue and slot means permits easy assembling.

Certain structural features of the invention involve a novel method of making handbags. Before the tongue and slot means is assembled, the bag may be opened flat like a plane blank or reversely folded, as desired. Then the center partition or lining or both can be easily applied and sewn to the bottom gusset or only to the end gussets, all of which parts are easily accessible. Now the bag is assembled by the tongue and slot means, and then a line of stitching connects the lining .to the bag along the mouth to support the lining, reenforce the connection at the tongues, and complete thebag. The treatment of the closure .neednot be considered herein. Certain of these operations, which heretofore were very troublesome, become quick and easy to perform, and -i't is ran object of the invention to `realize all these advantages. v

Other objects and advantages'of the invention will become apparent as `the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations andarrangements of parts `hereinafter described `in their preferred embodiments, pointed out gin vthe subjoined claims, and illustrated on the Lannexed drawing, wherein like .parts are vdesignated Aby the same reference characters throughout the several views.

' In the drawing:

Figure l is a view lof a main :blank and auxiliary blanks, one of which is shown-stitched to the main blank, whereby the bag lbody can be constructed informing `a bag according to the invention and as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a handbag'embodying the invention, l.in almost fully expanded position.

Fig. 3 -is a transverse, vertical sectional view thereof, substantially `less expanded. l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal fragmentary section showing an end gusset land ythe tongue and slot connection thereof.

Fig. 5 is a ver-tical, fragmentary sectional view of a-modiilcation showing a lining having a central vpartition connected to the bottom.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged .modified fragmentary sectional view showing Va lining and central partition connected to an .en d gusset.

Fig. Flis a fragmentary view, partly perspective, illustrating the .method of ,making a handbag embodying the features of Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of lsuch a modired handbag.

Fig. 9 is an end .view of a modified handbag embodying the invention with the end gusset substantially fully expanded.

Fig.-10 is an .end view V,of another modified handbag according to the invention, which has little or no expansibility.

The advantages of the -invention-as lhere outlined are best realized when vall of its featuressame may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplication of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, II denotes a handbag embodying the invention. The same may have any suitable closure means such as a flap I2 closed by a releasable snap fastener I3, |4. A conventional bag-like lining I5 may have an extension I6 covering the iiap I2. The lining may be secured to the outer part of the bag by stitching I1, I8, for example, extending along the mouth of the bag and then along the flap as at I9. This is easily done because these stitch parts are easily accessible.

The bag body or outer part of the bag may consist of leather, or artificial leather or other suitable stiff or reenforced material, of which there may be made blanks embodying the invention. One single blank may be used, but I prefer to make a main blank and one or more auxiliary blanks 2|. The blank 20 may have crease lines 22 defining the bottom 23 of the bag, which is made into a gusset by a central crease line 24. At the sides are panels 25, 26 dening side walls of the bag, a crease line 211 defining the flap I2. Longitudinally of the blank there are crease lines 28, which intersect the crease lines 22, 24 and define narrow marginal portions 29 that may extend continuously along the bottom wall and the side walls. Formed on these marginal portions are headed tongues, which project therefrom, and the heads of which are of T- form, indicated at 30.

The blanks 2| are identical, each being tapered and formed according to the shape and size of the gusset desired. Each has a central crease line 3|, and at one end, angular crease lines 32. Along opposite edges of each blank 2|, there are a plurality of slits 33 through which the heads of the tongues can be forced in folded condition and then permit to lie at to afford a powerful locking engagement. As shown in Fig. 1, one of the blanks 2| is stitched to the blank 20 as at 34, so that the crease lines 24 and 3| are in alignment and the crease lines 32 are adapted for infolding in the usual manner in handbag gussets. When the side walls 25, 2S are folded upward on the lines 22, and the marginal portions 29 are folded toward each other and the stitched strip member 2| is brought upward on its fold line 28, the tongues 30 are inserted into the slits 33 to form the bag body. Each of the resultant end gussets consists of the opposed marginal portions 29 and the strip 2|, with the triangle formed by creased lines 32 and the adjacent portion of line 28 permitting breaking and expansion in conjunction with the bottom gusset 23 and its crease line 24 in theusual manner. In fact the bottom may be expanded flat as shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 4, the heads of the tongues lie concealed in the bag. The edges of the marginal portions 29 face inward into the gussets; only one edge of each slit 33 faces outward. The tongues lie fiat against the strip members 2|. Any outward pressure on the gussets enhances the tongue and slit engagement. The locking means 39, 33 thus lies Wholly within the confines of the gussets, and the sides of the bag retain their conventional appearance. In fact the edges of the material are protectively housed in the region of the gussets. And of course, the tongues are detachable for opening the bag body for cleaning or repair or even to afford a secret pocket. Such detachment is fairly difficult and requires a tool.

With the bag body completed as described, a bag-like lining such as I5 is dropped into it and sewn thereto at I'I, I8, and I9. The stitching at I8 directly secures together the marginal portions 29 and the strip members 2| to avoid looseness at the mouth and to afford a neat and 1inished appearance. Thus the bag is complete.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 8 is shown a modified handbag including a bag body 40, comprising an outer section 4| and a lining section 42. These sections may be like those shown in the handbag except that there is a central longitudinal partition 43 which may form part of the lining and is connected to the bottom and end gussets, especially the latter, to restrain gussets from being pushed out by bulky contents of the handbag. This pushing out Yhas been especially troublesome with the end gussets and it renders a bag untidy and causes it to show wear. Here there is an additional reason for restraining the gussets, because it is desired that the connecting means 30, 33 shall be as inconspicuous as possible. In providing the partition 43, it is understood that the bag including the lining is other- Wise expansible freely in the usual manner.

Partitions such as 43 have been provided in the past in rather expensive handbags because the fabrication was rather difficult. Here it is so easy as to be a startling innovation. According to Fig. 5, there s a line of stitching 44 connecting the partition 43 to the bottom gusset 23a along its central crease. Similarly in Fig. 6, there is a line of stitching 45 connecting the partition directly or by means of the lining to the stripmember 2|a at its central crease 3|. The parts 23a and 2|a are otherwise like those at 2 and 2|.

According to Fig. 7, the structure of the bag 40 is easily made. The strip members 2|a are sewn to the ends of the lining and then to the blank 29. Preferably the strip members 2|a are sewn to the blank 20 at 34 as shown in Fig. 1, then the blank is reversely folded on crease line 24, with marginal portions 29 folded over for convenience as shown, so that the strip members 2|a extend upward and are freely accessible. Now the lining or partition 43 is stitched at 44 or 45 or at both lines to the gussets 23a and 2 Ia at their respective fold lines 24 and 3|. 'I'he stitching may go right through these gussets and through the central parts of the gussets of the lining. To prevent the pliable lining gussets from interfering, they are easily pushed or folded away as suggestively shown in Fig. 7. Then the side walls 25, 26 are folded up, secured at 3U, 33 and the stitching at I1, I8, I9 applied to finish the bag. The operator then inserts her hand to push and nt the lining along the gussets as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

v In Fig. 9 is shown a handbag 50 which may be like the bag |I or the bag 40, except that the provision of strips 2l may be omitted, and these arranged as integral parts of the bag body. Accordingly there need be only a single line of headed tongues 5I and slits 52, Within the confines of the gusset 53 at one side thereof. A tab 54 from the bottom may be hand-tacked or pasted to the gusset at 55. A line of stitching 55 functions as at I'I, I8. When collapsed the gusset 53 is practically closed especially at the mouth of the bag for further concealment of the slits 52.

In Fig. 10 is shown 'a handbagr in whchno expansible gussets are employed, at least at the ends, though the bottom may have a folded eX- pansible gusset as in the bags 50 and Il. Here a single line of tongues El and slits B2 therefore may be provided in the end walls 63, the arrangement including ornamental angular cut outs 64, also shown in Fig. 9. A tab 65 may project loosely upward in the bag body, but no articles will fall out due to the bag-like lining such as l5 sewn to the bag body by stitching 66 like that at I1, I8.

I claim:

1. A handbag including a bag body having a mouth at its top and having a bottom .Wall and side Walls, end Walls constituting infoldable gussets interconnecting the side Walls, the end Walls being vertically split, means interconnecting the parts of an end wall including headed tongues on one part and slots for locking engagement with the tongues on the other part, said means lying Wholly within the confines of said gusset, a bag-like lining in the bag body, said lining having a central partition centrally connected to said gussets, and a line of stitching interconnecting the lining and the bag body at the mouth of the latter including said parts of said end wall.

2. A handbag including a bag body having a mouth at the top and having a bottom wall and side Walls, end Walls forming infolding gussets, 'laid end walls comprising upright folded members integral with the side Walls, strip members having central upright fold lines, means including headed tongues and slits interconnecting each strip member With the folded members at its opposite sides, to thus provide complete gusing headed tongues and slits interconnecting each strip member with the folded members at its opposite sides, to thus provide complete gussets, and a bag-like lining having a central partition stitchedgto the bag body along its mouth including the said gussets, with said partition being centrally connected to the gussets to prevent them from being pushed out.

4. A handbag including a 'bag body having a mouth at the top and having a bottom Wall and side Walls, end walls forming infolded gussets, said end Walls comprising upright folded members integral with the side Walls, strip members having central upright fold lines, means including headed tongues and slits interconnecting each strip member with the folded members at its opposite sides, to thus provide complete gussets, said strip members being connected at their bottorn ends to the bottom of the bag body, a baglike lining, a line of stitching connecting the lining to the bag body along the mouth of the latter including the folded and strip members, said lining having a partition, and stitching connecting said partition centrally to the gussets to prevent them from being pushed out.

5. A handbag including a bag body having a mouth at the top and having a bottom wall and side walls, end Walls forming infolded gussets, said yend Walls comprising upright folded members integral with the side walls, strip members having central upright fold lines, means including headed tongues and slits interconnecting each strip member with the folded members at its opposite sides, to thus provide complete gussets, said strip members being connected at their bottom ends to the bottom of the bag body, a bottom upward folding gusset for the bag body, a baglike lining having a longitudinal partition, a line of stitching connecting the bottom of the lining to the bottom gusset to prevent the same from being pushed out, the partition being centrally connected to the end gussets to restrain outward movement thereof, and a line of stitching connecting the lining to the bag body including the folded and strip members thereof, at the mouth of the bag body.

. JOSEPH ROSENKRANTZ. 

